15 feared dead at deadliest Dunduzu accident in Mzuzu

About 15 people are feared dead in what could be the deadliest accident in the northern city of Mzuzu and scores of people have sustained life threatening injuries.

The vehicle involved in the accident

Another car involved

Painful death

Died on the spot

Mzuzu police PR Martin Bwanali confirmed 14 deaths and said more than 30 people are receiving treatment at Mzuzu Central Hospital following the fatality.

Bwanali said the accident involved four vehicles namely a Tipper registration number BQ 9942 Ashkok Leyland which after failing to negotiate a corner hit three other vehicles in a row which were heading the opposite direction.

The Tipper belonging to Plem Construction was coming from Ekwendeni direction heading towards Mzuzu city.It carried gravel soil for the construction of the road at Area Four in Mzuzu.

“Upon reaching Msiki area situated between Dunduzu roadblock and Ekwendeni it firstly hit a three tonner lorry before further hitting two minbuses which were coming behind the lorry.

“One of the minibus had carried Sunday School members of Chiputula CCAP who were on their way to Karonga for a church activity,” Bwanali said in a statement seen by Nyasa Times.

Police spokesman said they are yet to identify the particulars of the deceased.

“The whereabout of the driver of Tipper is not known.The other drivers are receiving medical treatment,” he said.

Student killer driver charged

Minibus set ablaze

In another accident in Mzuzu city, a driver of a minibus that killed a Mzuzu University (Mzuni) student on Wednesday handed himself to police and has been charged for “reckless driving.”

Mussa Gama, 28, from Chimala Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Nyambi in Machinga, was driving a minibus that caused the death of Semu Solomon Banda, a first year student. Banda met his fate while on his way to school to finalise his registration.

Gama, who was driving the minibus registration MZ 1410, was coming from Ekwendeni direction heading to Mzuzu. The vehicle was set on fire soon after the accident as police took time to get to the scene.

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To the Editor/author,
I appreciate your news coverage, but surely you must have competent editors to look at graphic images before print. Why would you print above images? Is this paper >18 or anyone can read? How about a bit of dignity for the victims and their families? I know you have an experienced crew and I am just humbly asking you to look at the purpose of printing such distressing images.

These drivers managing trippers from PLEM and the company doing Nkhata-Bay road are inconsiderate drivers. I once followed up Plem driver who was about to hit me had I not quickly moved to side road.
The Road Traffic Directorate must scrutinise these contracters’ drivera who if not cautioned will cause more preventable deaths. They are so reckless and posibly this comes from false confidence that if in accident they will not be affected much as their vehicles are monsters.

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Yes, we know that, “There is honour to be found in everything; even in death.” ~ King Minos (Atlantis).
. . . but is there any evidence of honour in this kind of death [seen in pics]? Not at all! This is very sad!
Truth is . . .
. . . more often than not, carelessness (manifested in overspeeding, sleeping on the wheel etc) is the reason for failing to negotiate a corner. And carelessness is paper-thin close to stupidity.
. . . It is at this point that I always wish this world was fair. Otherwise, only the stupid, could pay for their stupidity. Sadly, the world is unfair; thus, by one man’s stupidity, many people pay the cost/price.
. . . If you cup up your ears, you will be surprised to hear that this driver who acted stupidly, has survived, with not even a single scratch on his body or hair.
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. . . Now, since we live in a world full of all kinds of people [crazy people! mad people! irresponsible people! stupid people! etc], the only sensible thing any person can do is to be wise.
. . . To be wise is to be ready. Ready to go. To go and meet his/her Maker. You see . . .
“Death does not take a wise man by surprise. He is always ready to go.” – Jean De La Fontaine
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